Fire engulfed the Mobil Filling Station opposite Airport Hotel at Allen Junction in Lagos following an explosion involving a gas truck.
Two people sustained burns, and property worth millions of naira was damaged.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred around 11 a.m., destroying at least seven vehicles. No fatalities were reported.
Initial investigations revealed that the explosion involved a 12-ton gas truck, registration number unknown, which impacted several cars and part of a nearby building. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
The affected vehicles included both commercial and private cars. Additionally, the second floor of a nearby two-story building was damaged.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that while there were no deaths, two men suffered burns, and others had minor injuries. The injured were treated by LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Team and LASAMBUS before being transferred to LASUTH.
By 2 p.m., the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had controlled the fire, preventing further damage to surrounding buildings. Rescue operations were still ongoing.
The incident has caused a traffic gridlock in the area, with emergency teams cordoning off the vicinity, including the busy Obafemi Awolowo Road. Motorists were redirected to alternative routes to alleviate congestion and prevent a total traffic halt.
Director of Lagos Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, explained that the explosion occurred while a gas truck was discharging its contents into a surface storage tank, which then ignited. The fire rapidly spread, consuming eight vehicles, including the tanker, and damaging parts of the top floor of a nearby two-story building.
Several individuals sustained injuries and were taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment. The exact number of injured persons was still being confirmed at press time.
“Fire service teams from Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations acted quickly to control the blaze. As of the latest update, efforts to dampen the affected area are ongoing,” Adeseye said.
In addition to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, several agencies were on-site to manage the situation. These included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Mobil Fire Unit from Apapa, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
